Sports

I announced earlier this month there would be a second part to the new batch of charity t-shirts. Besides the 4x disc set of Caio Terra's "Modern Jiu-Jitsu", I will volunteer my services as a jeweler to 3x lucky winners. All those who purchase a BJJ-ASIA charity t-shirt will be elligible for a customized sterling silver pendant. Below I've included an example of the pendant with my own design laser-etched onto both sides. So it's up to you to have your own academy logo or a design of your liking. I will work with you to make it something you will be quite happy with. The pendant + chain is 28grams of 925 silver (sterling) and will arrive to you in quality Luke Satoru box-set. To purchase you own charity t-shirt, please CLICK HEREhttp://seabjj.bigcartel.com/http://sarnelliorphanage.org/

Eight things NOT to do today – or any day

Nov. 25, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA: Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett (90) against the St. Louis Rams at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports In 2012 the Arizona Cardinals ran a 3-4 defense under former defensive coordinator Ray Horton. The defense was confusing and aggressive as Horton was unafraid of dialing up pressures on apposing offenses. Horton’s scheme allowed players like Daryl Washington to shine, however a player like Darnell Dockett had a poor year because his responsibilities in the scheme did not fit his skill set. Dockett is the type of player that makes his living in the backfield and playing in a 2-gap defensive front certainly isn’t one of his strengths. Dockett’s age (31) has lead many to believe that he is not the player he once was. Nevertheless Dockett seems as motivated as ever to prove his doubters wrong and make the 2013 NFL season a successful one. The Cardinals opened the 2012 regular season against the Seattle Seahawks. According to Pro Football Focus Dockett registered 10 quarterback disruptions and six defensive stops in the run game  (subscription required). It seemed like the defensive lineman was setting the stage for a monster season, but unfortunately he failed to grade positively for the remainder of the season with the exception of Week 11 versus the Atlanta Falcons. How can the 2013 NFL season be  one of resurgence for Dockett and how can the coaching staff put him in position to be successful? It all starts with defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, who plans to install a 3-4 defensive scheme similar to Horton’s scheme. In contrast to Horton’s 2-gap scheme, Bowles will implement a 1-gap scheme that will allow Dockett to use his explosiveness to attack gaps and be disruptive. The coaching staff also plans on allowing Dockett to play different alignments along the defensive line and allow him to take advantage of mismatches on passing downs. Attitude plays a big part in a players sucess. It is hard not to notice how Dockett attitude has changed since the end of the 2012 NFL season. The new coaching staff and scheme appear to be a fresh air to Dockett and it seems that he is solely focused on the 2013 NFL season. If Dockett can maintain his high level of focus, look for him to bounce back and have a steller 2013 NFL season. Aug 5, 2012; Canton, OH, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Chase Daniel (10) runs past Arizona Cardinals defensive end David Carter (79) during the first half of a preseason game at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports Another player that could have a breakout season in 2013 is David Carter. Carter doesn’t garnish much attention from fans or the media but he could have an impact on the defensive line as a rotational player. Carter is a versatile player that can play anywhere across the defensive line; he can play nose tackle and defensive end in a 3-4 defense. This type of versatility allows the other starting linemen to rest and it also gives the Cardinals a solid rotation on the defensive line. Carter a 6th round pick in 2011 from UCLA was mostly a backup to nose tackle Dan Williams in his first NFL season. In 2012 he was still the back up nose tackle but he also was able to to start in place of  Darnell Dockett and Calais Campbell when they where forced to sit out because of injury. Carter started four games in 2012, his first start was against the Atlanta Falcons. Against the Falcons Carter registered three quarterback hurries and one batted down one pass, while grading positive against the run(stats available by Pro Football Focus). In Bowles defense scheme, Carter will continue to play multiple positions. If the Cardinals employ some 4-3 looks, Carter becomes more valuable as he is capable of playing anywhere on the interior of the defensive line and possibly can play strong side defensive end in certain defensive fronts. In 2013 I fully expect to

The Spaniard has praised the outgoing Real Madrid coach and believes the Blues can challenge for the Premier League title under his stewardship Chelsea playmaker Juan Mata would welcome Jose Mourinho to the club with open arms, should the Portuguese return to Stamford Bridge. Mourinho will part ways with current employers Real Madrid at the end of the season and is expected to take over as Chelsea boss within the next fortnight. And Mata would be very happy to see the 50-year-old join the west London club, and believes he is one of the very best managers in the world. “Jose is one of the best,” Mata said at a press conference prior to the first of two Chelsea friendlies with Manchester City in the United States. “He’s won everything in every country he was: in Portugal, in Italy, in Chelsea in London and in Spain. “I think we don’t know really what’s going to happen, but if he comes, he’s welcome, because he’s one of the best. “Chelsea always want to be a top squad, a top side, and I think if he comes, we’re all going to be happy to have him.” Mourinho’s reign in the Spanish capital came to a disappointing and trophyless end, and although Mata cannot pinpoint the reasons for los Blancos‘ failure under the Portuguese, he still believes Chelsea can challenge for the Premier League title under their old boss. “I don’t know. You have to be there to understand everything,” Mata said. “What I know is that Madrid is a massive club with a lot of pressure behind them, and I think it shouldn’t be easy. “All I can say is that if he comes, we’re going to try and do our best with him, or with whoever, to win the title.”

Today's piffle wants to be told how bad it isPeople are wising up to sockpuppetry but that's OK because The Rafa Benítez Experience shows that it is time to move on to the next level: mockpuppetry. What that means, readers, is that if you want to burnish your image, the thing to do is not write fake rave reviews of yourself but rather hire a mob to publicly taunt and abuse you. Do it now, readers! Ask colleagues to gather around your desk and point at you laughing and jeering while you stoically carry on typing. Your stock will soar! Employers will queue outside your door like like paparazzi outside trendy nightclubs and when you emerge, instead of trying to stick their cameras in your face or up your skirt, they will foist lucrative contracts into your hands! It will happen! Just look at Benítez: this morning he is not merely being linked with every vacant Premier League post, but also Napoli and the rising club du jour, Paris Saint-Germain.Of course, Benítez is not the only person PSG are talking to about replacing Carlo Ancelotti. They are also said to be cosying up to Roberto Mancini, possibly thanks to that timely negative kitman review. Once they've got a suitably scorned manager, PSG will treat themselves to a shopping spree, recruiting not only Wayne Rooney, but also Cesc Fábregas and Angel Di Maria. Monaco are also planning to lure some of the world's most sought-after footballers, or at least the ones called Lopez: now that the Special One has been flushed out of Real, enabling Iker Casillas to be restored to the first team, Diego López may want a move and Monaco will give him one. They are also interested in the Lyon striker Lisandro López . Suggestions that Monaco officials also have their eyes on Jennifer Lopez are entirely understandable.Manchester United are reviving their interest in the one-time Sir Alex Ferguson target Karim Benzema. Arsenal want Real Madrid's other main centre-forward, Gonzalo Higuain, or at least they are allowing folks to believe they want such a top player, possibly before settling for a modestly-priced imitation.With Mourinho and so many players leaving Madrid this summer, talk naturally turns to the future of Cristiano Ronaldo — who, according to the former Real president Ramón Calderón, could be on his way to Chelsea! Except that's not what Calderón said at all — he merely noted that Chelsea are one of the few clubs who could afford the Portuguese. Which is a pity, as it would be interesting to see where Chelsea would squeeze Ronaldo into their team, what with Eden Hazard, Oscar and Juan Mata already proving excellent support players to the team's Proudly Beating Heart, Frank Lampard, who, one week after agreeing to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge, has already launched his campaign for another contract extension.After pulling off one of the coups of last summer by nabbing Dimitar Berbatov on the cheap, Martin Jol is trying to perform a similar trick this time round by signing … Stewart Downing. Fulham are said to be interested in borrowing the limited winger but Liverpool are only prepared to let him go forever. If Downing does head to Craven Cottage, he could try to rekindle his old Aston Villa relationship with Darren Bent, who is also believed to be Fulham-bound.On the other side of London, meanwhile, West Ham are trying to assemble the most fearsome attack outside a Marvel Comic, with the human wrecking ball, Andy Carroll, potentially being joined up front by hulking Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku.All this talk of Arsenal preparing to make an uncharacteristically big splash in the transfer market has convinced Montpellier to slap a €100m euro price tag on midfielder Rémy Cabella. This raises several questions, including: why do clubs always have to slap tags on to their best players? Is that any way to treat their most valuable assets? Couldn't they just massage the tag on, or give the prized midfielder a T-shirt or floral arrangement saying €100m?Hull City are back in the Premie

West Virginia Mountaineers Golf Ball Markers…

The Brazil international is believed to have told an opponent that a prolonged stay in his native country is out of the question as Barcelona step up their pursuit Joinville goalkeeper Ivan claims Santos star Neymar told him that staying in Brazil is no longer an option for him after Wednesday’s Copa do Brasil match. The attacker initially insisted that he wanted to stay at his current club until after the 2014 World Cup, but he has now seemingly decided on a move to Europe this summer after claiming it is “too complicated” to stay as Barcelona step up their interest. Santos turned down a second offer from the Catalans earlier this week, but it seems 21-year-old Neymar is confident that both sides will eventually reach an agreement over a transfer. “I asked him to stay put, but he said that he can’t stay in Brazil anymore and that it’s too complicated,” Ivan told reporters when questioned about his conversation with Neymar after the 0-0 draw in Sao Paulo. “It will be great for all Brazilians if he moves to Europe. European football is the best in the world and Neymar is the best player in Brazil. In Europe he’ll learn a lot, improve, and help us with the national team. “I asked him to stay. I said ‘Stay, man. You light up our pitches, it’s a joy to watch you play and to play against you’. But he told me, ‘I can’t stay anymore. It’s too complicated now’.” Neymar’s current contract runs until after next year’s World Cup, though Santos would appear to be willing to cash in on the attacker should an appropriate sum be offered.

Defense is complicated and confusing, so let's try to compare it to something more well-known.Click the title to read more.Read more great baseball stuff at The Hardball Times.

With Roberto Martinez set to decide today whether to stay at Wigan, Tom McDermott says they might be better off without a manager who took them backwards...Since Roberto Martinez was appointed Wigan manager in 2009, his intelligence and personality has won him many admirers. What’s not to like? What we have also found out is that the Spaniard is incredibly naive tactically and although his passing style might be pleasing on the eye (sometimes), ultimately it’s failed him and the club.During the build-up to their season-closing 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, Martinez said: “I know it can sound a bit stupid but I’ve never, ever thought about my situation yet.” With respect Roberto, is it something that should be left for you to decide? Although Wigan had finally fell through the trapdoor with a 4-1 thrashing by Arsenal at the Emirates, there was an air of inevitability about it. The writing had been on the wall for about four years.There has also been a bit of a myth surrounding Martinez for most of his time at the club. The myth is that Martinez is destined for a ‘top’ job and when such a vacancy is available he will be a resounding success. It’s seen by some as a reward for his outstanding performance in his current role. Well, why not? He doesn’t just look the part. He’s won the FA Cup you know!Martinez has a vision of how the game should be played, which started long before his successful spell in charge of Swansea City. But, as has been shown this season, it can only take you so far, and a parting of the ways might be more beneficial for Wigan than it is for Martinez.It’s hard not to cringe when Wigan chairman Dave Whelan talks about the ‘special’ job Martinez has done at the DW Stadium. So it’s probably worth looking at just how well he’s performed.Martinez: directing operationsWigan spent eight years in the Premier League, with Martinez in charge for the last four. In 2009/10, they finished 16th with 36 points, winning nine games. In 2010/11 they finished 16th again, winning nine games. In 2011/12 season they improved to 15th, winning 11 matches. But they finished this season in 18th place conceding 73 goals and were relegated from the Premier League. It's instructive to compare that period to Wigan's four pre-Martinez top-flight years. Having been promoted under Paul Jewell, they finished 2005/06 in 10th place, scoring 45 goals (more than they managed in three of Martinez's seasons) and winning 15 games on their way to 51 points despite the distraction of reaching the 2006 League Cup Final. Jewell: cup finalistIn 2006/07 they finished 17th on 38 points, staying up on goal difference, but still managed more points than in two Martinez seasons and more wins (10) than in three terms under the Spaniard. After a spell under Chris Hutchings they spent most of 2007/08 under Steve Bruce and finished 14th – again, higher than any Martinez season – and in his only full season Bruce took them to 11th place and a 45-point total including 12 wins. In many ways, it was their high-water mark, but Bruce left for Sunderland and Wigan turned to Martinez.Statistically (as well as in divisions), Martinez's four-year reign took Wigan backwards. He managed 38 wins in four years: 158 points from 152 games, or 1.039 points per game. In the previous four years, they won 47 games and gathered 184 points, or 1.211ppg. Before Martinez, Wigan averaged 0.99 goals scored per game and 1.36 conceded; under him, their goals scored rose to 1.09 but their goals conceded shot to 1.81 per game.They finished his first season with a -42 goal difference: on average they were more than a goal per game behind their opponents. This tightened up in his second two years, and indeed the goals-scored column has risen every year under Martinez from 37 in 2009/10 to 47 this term. Sadly, Wigan have never failed to concede at least 60 goals per season under the Spaniard – more than in any of their previous four top-flight seasons. Martinez’s main problem i

West Bromwich Albion defender Gareth McAuley is eager to see Youssouf Mulumbu and Shane Long pen new terms. read more